Broncos Nuclear Option: Examining the Top QB Options in 2024 NFL Draft
With Sean Payton leading the way, the Denver Broncos are hoping for a significant turnaround in 2023 from the five-win finish of last season. There were many reasons for the Broncos' issues in 2022, and in the case of most of them, the team has taken steps to improve.
One of the bigger problems the Broncos faced was the quarterback situation. There is no way around it, as Russell Wilson was a significant issue last season.
From missing pre-snap reads, leading to a missed wide-open receiver for a game-winning touchdown, to having a large hand in the design of such an inefficient offense. Some of these have been handled, as the offense will be Payton's, but Wilson also needs to bounce back.
The veteran QB added weight and bulk last season, which hindered his movement, but he has since slimmed down, which should help. But can Wilson go back to making the right reads pre-snap, can he stop missing open receivers for touchdowns or even first downs, and throw the ball away to avoid taking a league-high in sacks?
If Wilson doesn't bounce back (being a top-16 quarterback wouldn't be enough), then the Broncos could be looking at quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL draft. The Broncos need Wilson to make a large enough jump from 2022 to commit to him for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. His 2025 salary guarantees on the fifth day of the 2024 league year, so the Broncos will have to decide by then if he is worth two more years.
If Wilson isn't worth it by then, a June-1 designation will spread his cap hit over the 2024 and 2025 seasons and be manageable for the Broncos. Doing that also would put pressure on the Broncos to land one of the 2024 draft-class quarterbacks. That would make managing the dead cap even easier with a rookie quarterback contract.
The good news is the projected 2024 quarterback draft class is outstanding. There are plenty of clear top guys with multiple prospects that could significantly rise through the 2023 season and draft process.
So, let's dive into the class and look at potential options for the Broncos in case that's the route they have to go.
Caleb Williams | USC
Bo Nix | Oregon
Michael Penix | Washington
KJ Henderson | Arkansas
Sam Hartman | Notre Dame
Riley Leonard | Duke
Jordan Travis | Florida State
Joe Milton III | Tennessee
Quinn Ewers | Texas
J.J. McCarthy | Michigan
Jayden Daniels | LSU
Spencer Rattler | South Carolina
Michael Pratt | Tulane
Grayson McCall | Coastal Carolina
Shedeur Sanders | Colorado
Will Rogers | Mississippi State
Cameron Ward | Washington State
Ball security will be a concern for Ward, as he put the ball on the ground 23 times in the last two seasons at Incarnate World in 2022 and Washington State in 2023. He can use his legs to complement his efficient passing and does well to keep his eyes looking for a receiver instead of becoming a runner only.
Can Ward stay efficient and make more NFL throws? No one is sure because the Washington State offense doesn't ask for much from the quarterback.
Bottom Line
Will all of these quarterbacks declare for the draft? I doubt it, and we don't yet know what the future holds for Wilson. But most of the QBs I've highlighted likely will declare, which would still make for a strong class that the Broncos could capitalize on if push comes to shove.
What's great about a strong class is even if the Broncos do hang on to Wilson, they could look for a quarterback to start developing to take over down the road. The Broncos have their options in front of them.
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